Anzac Day 2020
For many, Anzac Day seemed more emotional and meaningful this year, and we're fortunate to have on our club Dave Woodrow, who led the ANZAC service on Facebook at Maleny Anglican Parish Church. Here's Dave's address. An emotional and informative speech. Well done David.
Anzac Day at Maleny 2020
I am not going to talk about the mud and blood and suffering and heroism of Gallipoli - that is remembered every Anzac Day at cenotaphs around Australia and in other parts of the world. This year is memorable, however, because in marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in the pacific. It is also personally significant to me as my father served at Milne Bay at the first defeat of the enemy in the Pacific.
While the actual landing may have had some strategic significance, it has been described by military historians as a tactical disaster with many mistakes including landing at the wrong place and seriously underestimating the enemy defenses resulting in a terrible waste of life.
The withdrawal, however, after the occupation was a masterpiece of planning and execution by the Australian and NZ commanders – with complete surprise to the enemy and no casualties. This operation is regarded as nothing short of miraculous.
Instead of Gallipoli, I would like to concentrate on an overseas TV News report that showed a public rally against the country's compulsory military service legislation. One protester, right in the front, fully exercising his democratic right, carried a large placard that read -
NOTHING IS WORTH DYING FOR
I know many people would regard that message as offensive, particularly on this day when we remember those who thought so differently - first at GALLIPOLI and then afterwards in a host of other places.
With EASTER so close to ANZAC day, those of us who are Christians thank God that he did not think nothing was worth dying for.
I prefer to remember another message from another place many miles from the demonstration. The message is on a stone monument in the hills between INDIA and BURMA (now Meinma) and it reads -
WHEN YOU GO HOME
TELL THEM OF US AND SAY:
FOR YOUR TOMORROW
WE GAVE OUR TODAY
The military action in BURMA is not the most significant in terms of the ANZAC tradition although many Australians and New Zealanders fought and died there. What is significant is the message of the inscription - a message that is never more appropriate than on ANZAC DAY.
FOR YOUR TOMORROW
WE GAVE OUR TODAY.
Many people today may not know the meaning of our ceremony.
The Traditional Ode is the fourth stanza of a poem written by Lawrence Binyon in 1919.
The Ode is recited at RSL clubs all over Australia at 6pm every day with all visitors standing to pay respect. The last line “We will remember them” is repeated by all present (as we can do today).
The Last Post is played on a brass instrument. This originated with the British Army in the 17th century.
At nightfall, or last light, the guard commander went around the sentry posts with a kettledrum to see that they were all alert for the night watch.
The bugle was played at the last sentry post (the last post).
This now signifies death and is played at all military funerals.
It is the most solemn sound played on the battlefield and is heard by soldiers with the head bowed and Officers pay their respect by saluting.
Men and boys remove their hats.
After the minute silence to reflect on the death and injuries we repeat “Lest we Forget”.
And then we hear the Rouse – the Reveille or awakening, signifying resurrection - the life in heaven after death.
This morning I will read two verses of the ODE.
They went with songs to the battle,
They were young,
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
We will remember them